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Closing the Deal...on Your Terms
Making the wrong decisions on the business side of publishing can destroy a writer’s career. Longtime writer, editor, and publisher Kristine Kathryn Rusch knows this better than anyone. So she decided to write a book on the dealbreakers in contracts, agency agreements, and other business things that will ruin a writer’s future.
Little did she know that it would take her seven months, lots of hand-wringing, and a lot of help from the readers of her blog. The result, Closing the Deal…on Your Terms, shows how the tiniest of decisions—talking to a Hollywood producer on the phone, falling for a typical agent’s ruse of masking a contract for a letter—can have lifelong consequences.
Written for every writer, whether self-published, traditionally published, or hybrid, Closing the Deal…on Your Terms takes writers on a journey that will help them understand what they’re selling and what they could accidentally give away.
“[Kristine Kathryn Rusch’s blog,] The Business Rusch…is full of sound advice and analysis about what's going on.”
—Jeff Baker, The Oregonian
“Kristine Kathryn Rusch’s new book Discoverability is by far the best resource I have read to date to help indie authors succeed after the book is written.”
—Chris Syme, Principal of CKSyme Media Group
“The bible for the self-employed.”
—John Ottinger III, teacher and editor of Grasping for the Wind, on The Freelancer’s Survival Guide
Little did she know that it would take her seven months, lots of hand-wringing, and a lot of help from the readers of her blog. The result, Closing the Deal…on Your Terms, shows how the tiniest of decisions—talking to a Hollywood producer on the phone, falling for a typical agent’s ruse of masking a contract for a letter—can have lifelong consequences.
Written for every writer, whether self-published, traditionally published, or hybrid, Closing the Deal…on Your Terms takes writers on a journey that will help them understand what they’re selling and what they could accidentally give away.
“[Kristine Kathryn Rusch’s blog,] The Business Rusch…is full of sound advice and analysis about what's going on.”
—Jeff Baker, The Oregonian
“Kristine Kathryn Rusch’s new book Discoverability is by far the best resource I have read to date to help indie authors succeed after the book is written.”
—Chris Syme, Principal of CKSyme Media Group
“The bible for the self-employed.”
—John Ottinger III, teacher and editor of Grasping for the Wind, on The Freelancer’s Survival Guide
ebook
Published October 24, 2016
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About the author
Kristine Kathryn Rusch
1,365 books720 followersKristine Kathryn Rusch is an award-winning mystery, romance, science fiction, and fantasy writer. She has written many novels under various names, including Kristine Grayson for romance, and Kris Nelscott for mystery. Her novels have made the bestseller lists –even in London– and have been published in 14 countries and 13 different languages.
Her awards range from the Ellery Queen Readers Choice Award to the John W. Campbell Award. In the past year, she has been nominated for the Hugo, the Shamus, and the Anthony Award. She is the only person in the history of the science fiction field to have won a Hugo award for editing and a Hugo award for fiction.
In addition, she's written a number of nonfiction articles over the years, with her latest being the book "A Freelancer's Survival Guide".
She has also published as:
Sandy Schofield (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kristine Grayson - romances
Kathryn Wesley (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kris Nelscott - mysteries
Kris Rusch - historical fiction
Kris DeLake - romances
Her awards range from the Ellery Queen Readers Choice Award to the John W. Campbell Award. In the past year, she has been nominated for the Hugo, the Shamus, and the Anthony Award. She is the only person in the history of the science fiction field to have won a Hugo award for editing and a Hugo award for fiction.
In addition, she's written a number of nonfiction articles over the years, with her latest being the book "A Freelancer's Survival Guide".
She has also published as:
Sandy Schofield (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kristine Grayson - romances
Kathryn Wesley (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kris Nelscott - mysteries
Kris Rusch - historical fiction
Kris DeLake - romances
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 2, 2017
For me, this book was earth shattering. Nearly on its merits alone, I fired my agent and decided to go indie. Anyone who is serious about publishing (trad or indie) must read this book. Thank you to Kris for being so brave and incisive in her analysis. Keep up the good work!!!
February 8, 2017
Great information about the language used in publishing contracts. She explains the language found in most traditional contracts, and shows how they don't favor the writer.
She also talks about hiring a lawyer to help deal with contracts. Writers looking for a traditional deal AND indie authors should read this book.
I learned a lot from this book, and highly recommend it to all authors.
She also talks about hiring a lawyer to help deal with contracts. Writers looking for a traditional deal AND indie authors should read this book.
I learned a lot from this book, and highly recommend it to all authors.
October 16, 2017
Just in time for Halloween comes... the most terrifying book I've read this year!!!
Kristine Kathryn Rusch's overview of book publishing contract pitfalls is frustrating for a couple of different reasons and also very very depressing, but I'm glad I struggled through it.
Closing the Deal crystalised a lot of concepts that I'd heard about but didn't really understand.
What does it mean when an author's rights "come back to them"? (Do they develop sentient life and crawl back like turtles?) In an age of print-on-demand and ebooks, can a book ever be considered out of print, and therefore, is a publishing contract FOR LIFE? (Seriously. Terrifying.)
Are non-compete clauses even legal? (No! but they're still everywhere.) What does "the moral right of the author" even mean?
This book is basically a crash course in the things authors would rather not think about, but still really DO need to think about. It's obvious stuff for anyone with a legal background, I'm sure, but absolutely revolutionary for me. I'm still floored by a late chapter in the book that points out... hey, a lot of what's in a contract isn't legal, a lot of it can be ignored, and even more of it can be successfully fought over in court. Wow.
The downside of this book is how much it feels like a series of blog posts, because, uh, it's... a series of blog posts. "Blog your book" isn't my favourite trend, but if you are doing that, at least go through and try and make it more book-like and less blog-like before you make me pay money for it, eh? :/
It's also an extremely negative book. Much of it is negative for good reason, but I think it lacks an even-handed stance in places. The idea that all traditional publishing deals are inherently bad is verging on bizarre. Yes, I'm pro self-publishing. Yes, I believe every author should look seriously at self-publishing. Yes, it's been proven you can make more money by self-publishing many types of genre books. But the reality is that, for most types of books, the clout and marketing that come from a traditional house are likely to propel your writing career forward far more than a self-published book plopped into Amazon like a drop in the ocean. Rusch barely seems to acknowledge this fact.
Regardless, if you're writing a book, make time to read this one.
Kristine Kathryn Rusch's overview of book publishing contract pitfalls is frustrating for a couple of different reasons and also very very depressing, but I'm glad I struggled through it.
Closing the Deal crystalised a lot of concepts that I'd heard about but didn't really understand.
What does it mean when an author's rights "come back to them"? (Do they develop sentient life and crawl back like turtles?) In an age of print-on-demand and ebooks, can a book ever be considered out of print, and therefore, is a publishing contract FOR LIFE? (Seriously. Terrifying.)
Are non-compete clauses even legal? (No! but they're still everywhere.) What does "the moral right of the author" even mean?
This book is basically a crash course in the things authors would rather not think about, but still really DO need to think about. It's obvious stuff for anyone with a legal background, I'm sure, but absolutely revolutionary for me. I'm still floored by a late chapter in the book that points out... hey, a lot of what's in a contract isn't legal, a lot of it can be ignored, and even more of it can be successfully fought over in court. Wow.
The downside of this book is how much it feels like a series of blog posts, because, uh, it's... a series of blog posts. "Blog your book" isn't my favourite trend, but if you are doing that, at least go through and try and make it more book-like and less blog-like before you make me pay money for it, eh? :/
It's also an extremely negative book. Much of it is negative for good reason, but I think it lacks an even-handed stance in places. The idea that all traditional publishing deals are inherently bad is verging on bizarre. Yes, I'm pro self-publishing. Yes, I believe every author should look seriously at self-publishing. Yes, it's been proven you can make more money by self-publishing many types of genre books. But the reality is that, for most types of books, the clout and marketing that come from a traditional house are likely to propel your writing career forward far more than a self-published book plopped into Amazon like a drop in the ocean. Rusch barely seems to acknowledge this fact.
Regardless, if you're writing a book, make time to read this one.
June 7, 2018
This book is so chock-full of great information and suggestions that I am going to be spending many weeks following up on all of them. An eye-opening must-read for anyone even toying with the idea of becoming an author. Whether self-publishing or trying to go with a traditional publisher, you should not take one more step without reading this book. Seriously. Read this now!
February 2, 2019
Great info!
A book every writer should have! She breaks down contracts for everyone. I'm going to stick with lawyers to negotiate.
A book every writer should have! She breaks down contracts for everyone. I'm going to stick with lawyers to negotiate.
December 6, 2016
Después de leer este libro me tiemblan las piernas y jamás firmaré un contrato con una editorial... Deja bastante claro lo granujas que pueden ser las editoriales, con cláusulas abusivas y hasta aberrantemente absurdas.
Interesante en ciertos momentos, aburrido en otros, pero instructivos. De todas formas, la autora es una talibán de pasar olímpicamente de las editoriales, así que también hay que darse cuenta de que debe estar barriendo un poco para casa.
Interesante en ciertos momentos, aburrido en otros, pero instructivos. De todas formas, la autora es una talibán de pasar olímpicamente de las editoriales, así que también hay que darse cuenta de que debe estar barriendo un poco para casa.
December 9, 2016
This was a really amazing series of articles concerning book concracts. She is a fine writer who knows when to put in persoal anecdotes to underscore her points. This started as a series of blog posts, and it has been adapted to book format, but it still feels like a series of blog posts over a full book. With that said, it is amazing and so helpful. I learned so much from it.
February 5, 2017
This is a great PSA to anyone who wants to publish their writing though Ms. Rusch found the process of compiling the information in this book depressing. It gives writers a thorough record of the current pitfalls to watch out for in publishing records.
October 8, 2017
Educational, informative, chalk full of need-to-know info to help you publish or get your book published. Things you need to be aware of and know before agreeing to a publishing contract. I will be reading it again.
December 5, 2016
This is so, so important and everyone who writes (and most of the other people) should read it.
April 29, 2018
Unbelievably insightful book. 5++ stars.
November 7, 2020
This book is a must read for authors – in the traditional published - everywhere. Cannot recommend this book enough. I only wish I had found it earlier. Thank you, Joanne a pen, for recommending this fantastic, insightful and informative read.
May 31, 2021
An eye-opening book every author would benefit from.
Read
November 2, 2024Absolute must read for all writers. Eye opening and shocking. The contracts that are out there… hire a lawyer! (One who understands IP and copyright.)
June 17, 2025
Simple, clear and easy to understand. Please read this to protect yourself.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews